Libraries and the network platform: a new cooperative context Lorcan Dempsey 2006 OCLC/Frederick G. Kilgour Lecture in Information and Library Science. The School of Information and Library Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 22 February 2006

Overview

The library and the network The long tail and libraries Network level

The balance between the library and the network moves to the network… 1.Resource sharing 2.A&I and ejournals 3.Time for the next step: the network platform

Why?

1.Organizational redevelopment in a flat world: from vertical integration to horizontal sourcing around shared processes 2.Long tail information infrastructure: building services for a network world 3.Focus on distinctive impact: build services around user workflow rather than expecting workflow to build around the library Attention …

Trajectory: from vertical integration …

Collaboratively sourced Third party … to collaborative and third party sourcing around shared processes and data Sourced

Ross Atkinson: The law of local access optimization Each service a library develops, every action it takes, every dollar it spends, has but one purpose – and that is to enhance local access to and use of relevant information. Any library resources used for any other purpose than the enhancement of local access and utility is misused.

Sourcing decisions Cataloging Resource sharing A&I Virtual reference Content layer: storage and preservation solutions Discovery On demand library systems Registries Knowledge bases Moving to the network level?

Overview The library and the network The long tail The network level

The long tail

Scarce shelf, spectrum or theater space drove behaviors Locally assembled material available to local users

But … A new information environment in the the network world..

Network hubs Comprehensive … Integrated D2D … Make data work hard … Participation … Platform …

Long tail dynamic Aggregate supply Unified discovery Reduce transaction costs: supply chain Consolidated inventory Business intelligence Aggregate demand Mobilize and connect a large number of potential users on open web E.g Google ads Platforms for others to build on: APIs, browser tools, etc

Libraries Comprehensive …? Integrated D2D …? Make data work hard …? Participation …? Platform …?

Libraries and the long tail dynamic Aggregate supply Discovery? D2D Supply chain? Business intelligence? Inventory? Aggregate demand Visible to limited users Perceptions report

Libraries and the long tail dynamic Aggregate supply? 1.7% of circulations are ILLs Aggregate demand? 20% of collection accounted for 90% of use (2 research libraries over ~4 years) Each reader his/her book Each book its reader

Use Request Locate Discover Deliver Example: aggregate supply: transaction costs Each arrow is a potential added cost: In terms of attention or technical, policy, business or service gaps.

Challenges: find it? Discovery: Find items, collections or services of interest Fewer unified resources? Metasearch? Where the user wants: RSS, search engine, CMS, …. Location: Find instances of discovered items and services on them Catalogs Resolvers E-commerce sites

Challenges: find it? Request: Request service Place hold Place ILL request Initiate purchase request, …. Deliver: Service or item is delivered From multiple sources

Libraries and the long tail? 1.The Library Long Tail is variably available to users. 2.Users are generally not aware of what is available to them (OCLC Perceptions Report) 3.A fragmented network presence: low gravitational pull

Overview The library and the network The long tail and libraries Network level

New cooperative landscape.. 1.What would it look like if more services move to the network level? 2.Create systemwide efficiencies and impact through shared platforms. 3.Focus on creating local value: mobilizing information resources in user environments

Discovery to delivery Find it Get it Paypal for libraries Things to think about: OpenWorldCat OCLC Fee Management Picture Australia Google Scholar Registry of resolvers

Content management layer To think about … JSTOR CRL Off-site storage Mass digitization Coordinated LOCKSS

Business intelligence To think about: Consolidated holdings? Consolidated usage data? Consolidated circ data? Consolidated resolution data? Consolidated download data? ….

Directory Collections Libraries Licenses Terms, schema Services Institutions Information objects Policies

Move to the network level … organizational development California Digital Library OhioLink, Pines, … RLG, OCLC, … Ithaka (JSTOR, ArtStor) DEF, NLA, … Open Content Alliance Google scholar Scopus Oaister Open WorldCat

And now … Change Scrutiny of available organizations Change patterns of working

OCLC Fred Kilgour